A Korean Problem: President’s Relative Arrested

Lee Sang-deuk, President Lee Myung-bak’s elder brother, is escorted by investigation officers as he is transferred to a detention house from the prosecutor’s office on Tuesday.

Late Tuesday, South Koreans watched a real-life drama that seemed eerily familiar. In fact, it is one that has played at the end of every presidency over the last two decades. The same story, different characters. This time, there’s a brother at the center.

President Lee Myung-bak’s brother Lee Sang-deuk, a six-time member of parliament who is now retired, was arrested Tuesday night on bribery charges.